In this week’s Buzz:
- Anyone know a great place for a massage in town?
- Thirty volunteers donate blood in Razlog
- Can you pay by card on the mountain or is it cash only?
- Apres Ski Gathering with Funky Goose & Between The Mountains
- Local council discusses the best projects to fund this year
- School holidays start from tomorrow
- Something worth reading if you travel by car, van or bus in Bulgaria
Budget Airline Ranks Bansko as Europe’s “Cheapest” Ski Resort
Photo credit: Bansko Municipality
There have been a few different media organisations doing analyses about the “cheapest” or “lowest cost for a ski holiday this winter” recently. I came across one by EasyJet and I had to laugh.
I take lots of these round-up posts with a pinch of salt, as they tend to compare old data and don’t really reflect the true cost of having a holiday in the resorts: they compare online data that can be one or two seasons out of date when they’re published (example: €1.23 for a beer in bansko, apparently🤦♂️).
And, an “EasyJet Index”? Laughable that a budget airline would have an “index” of ski destinations when it has limited flight options to lots of the countries that have ski options from places where lots of winter tourists visit from. (I guess they wrote it to help with rankings on Google or something 🤣).
When I see these types of articles, I’m usually suspicious: who funded the research and who gains from the promotion? Both require equal thought.
Read about the index here and the news article that made me Google it, here [translation required].
Altspace: a coworking space that fits your lifestyle, not the other way around.
Our community bridges the gap between the Bansko community and working online at a coworking space, bringing people together by challenging each other on Side Hustle Day, enjoying dinner together in a local restaurant, painting & wine, or chilling and talking about everything and nothing at Friday Beers.
If you want to join a community and coworking space that offers the right work-life balance, then book a trial day with Altspace Coworking. It’ll be one of the best decisions you’ll make.
Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group
✍️ 185 New Posts, 💬 845 Comments, 👍️3,274 Reactions
I’m Looking for Recommendations for Massages in Bansko
Katie wants a massage while she’s in Bansko and wonders who people would recommend. There were a variety of answers.
How’s Arriving To Bulgaria With The EU’s New Entry-Exit System Been?
Roger wanted to know how people’s experiences with the new EES system at Sofia Airport have been. This is where anyone who isn’t a citizen or resident of the EU has their photo and fingerprint(s) taken on arrival.
We Shipped Winter Clothes From the UK, But They’re Stuck at Customs in Sofia
Lisa shared that she and her family have sent their winter clothes from the UK, but now they’re stuck in customs, there’s a load of forms to fill in, and it feels like no one wants to help. See what people suggested.
The Eye of Sauron on Todorka Tonight
Phillippe posted an image of the ski cameras on the mountain with what looked like The Eye of Sauron (The Evil Lord) on the camera covering Todorka. Turns out it’s (obviously) something different.
Can You Pay By Card on The Mountain or is it Only Cash?
Olrubill wanted to know whether you can pay by card at restaurants and bars on the mountain, or only by cash. See what people have to say about their experiences.
Bansko & Beyond
Thirty Volunteers Donate Blood in Razlog
The recent blood drive at Razlog saw 30 volunteers rock up to donate blood to the regional blood donation centre. One bag of blood can help up to three people. Read more.
Local Councillors Discuss Best Way to Support Local Sports Clubs
The first meeting of 2026 for the Municipal Council of Bansko discussed how to help local sports clubs (through funding) and what projects were the best to support for young people and their educational needs this calendar year. Read more.
Winners & Medals for Bansko Biathlon Competitors
A few recent biathlon competitions have seen several individuals from Bansko compete and place in the top spots, with many walking away with medals. Read more here and here.
Want to Dispose of Other Goods? Leave Them Out for Collection
If you live in Bansko and want to dispose of items in your home (white goods, etc.), leave them outside your building or at the usual place where your main bin/garbage container sits the day before your usual refuse collection day, and they will take them away. Read more.
Get The Best Price: Sell Your Apartment
If you own an apartment in Bansko and you’re thinking about selling, then we offer a free valuation and listing of your property. Currently, it’s the best time to sell in Bansko.
We help you through the whole process to get the best price for your property, offering a realistic for-sale price, ensuring that all local property and maintenance fees are paid, showing prospective buyers around, and making everything easy. We have lawyers on hand and use one of the best notaries in the area.
If you’re looking for a local property expert who can help get the best price for your property, contact us today.
SELL YOUR BANSKO PROPERTY
Events Next Week
Links to the individual events are available for email subscribers when it lands in their inbox on a Sunday. See current events in the Bansko Notice Board group here.
Jim’s 65th Birthday Celebrations
On Thursday (5th), Jim Galloway will be celebrating his 65th birthday at The Hub (from 6.30pm). It isn’t a private party, but if you want to spend some time in a great bar in Bansko and talk to some people who live in Bansko year-round, then I’m sure there will be quite a few people going. More info.
Telescopes Under The Stars (Planetarium)
These take place on Fridays and Saturdays 7pm to 8pm (price 7€) and lectures on Saturdays and Sundays at 2.30pm to 4.30pm (price 5€). The lectures will be in English or Russian. More info.
Six Nations at Lilly’s Steakhouse
The Six Nations rugby competition is back! At Lilly’s Steakhouse (at The Irish Harp), the rugby competition will be shown on every day it’s happening (starts on Thursday 5th). Go enjoy a Guinness or two with some like-minded rugby fans. More info.
Apres Ski: The Gathering
On Saturday (7th) from 2pm, The Funky Goose Bar is teaming up with Camping Between The Mountains (the new campsite in Bansko) to bring an Apres Ski Gathering. Head over to above Regnum with lots of other people (skiers and non-skiers alike) for an afternoon/evening of fun, music and drinks. More info.
Bansko Street Dogs Pub Quiz
This will take place next Monday (Monday 9th) at venue TBC. The quiz starts at 7.30pm and the entry fee is 5€. The event will be shared over the next few days. (Information was confirmed at time of publishing.)
Regular Weekly Events
Here is a list of the regular events that will be happening every week throughout the winter season:
– Pub Quiz: Monday from 7pm at different venues (Bansko Street Dogs).
– Bansko Run Club(ish): Tuesday at 6.30pm meet at Altspace Coworking (Central).
– Latin Dance Night: Tuesday from 7pm at Four Leaf Clover.
– Pool Tournament: Thursday from 6.30pm at Smokey Mountain.
– Bingo: Thursday from 7pm at The Hub.
– Friday Beers: Friday 6pm to 8pm at Altspace Coworking (Central) [BYOB].
– Latin Dance Night: Friday from 7pm at DiVino.
– Karaoke: Friday from 8pm at Tipsy 360.
– BSD Saturday Sale: Saturday 10am to 2pm at Bansko Street Dogs shelter.
– Sip & Paint: Saturday 2pm to 4pm at Lucky Bansko Aparthotel.
– Sunday Walk: Sunday from 11am, meeting at the gondola.
Photo of the Week
How it looks on the slopes in Bansko.
Photo by Elitsa Dimitrova Filipova
Follow @banskobuzz on Instagram.
Before You Go…
If you travel by car, van, or bus during your time in Bulgaria, it’s worth reading this post on the Bansko Notice Board by Ian. He was in a road traffic collision this past week and wanted to share with people (mainly drivers) about what you should do if you’re involved in a collision.
Even if you don’t drive in Bulgaria (and never intend to), it’s worth taking a cursory look at the post to see what people should do in case something happens.
And… remember that the emergency services number in Bulgaria is 112 (999 or 911 won’t work as well here).
[The school holidays start from tomorrow, with Bulgaria kicking things off: February is going to be the usual business in town and up the mountain.]
—
Nick
Publisher, Bansko Buzz
